¡Gameweek 26 is not over yet, but it is never too early to look at some differentials. Gameweek 27 welcomes in a few fixture swings that can be taken advantage of with the right picks.
We have picked out a defender and two midfielders who deserve to be in more teams.
Ibrahima Konate
Ownership in FPL: 3.1% Price: £5.3m Position: Defender
Given some of his performances at the start of the season, it is not surprising that Ibrahima Konate has just 3.1% ownership. However, we may see this figure increase in the coming weeks, given some of the promising numbers and factors in his favour.
Liverpool endured a tough start to the season, and Konate was a big part of this. Between gameweeks 1-9, they were 12th for expected goals conceded (xGC). What is notable is how they have turned things around since then. They rank 3rd for xGC between gameweeks 10-26.
Konate has played a key role in this defensive solidity, missing only one game in this time. His partner Virgil Van Dijk (£5.9m) stole the show in gameweek 26, scoring the winning goal, but Konate had been keeping pace with him for points until this point. With £0.5m in savings between the pair, perhaps Konate deserves more attention.
There is very little between them in terms of defensive contributions, with both averaging above nine per 90. Shot-wise, Van Dijk leads by 8 across the season. However, he has just one more big chance than Konate, showing that the quality of chances they are getting is relatively similar. Konate is also good for bonus points. Until Virgil took home all three on Wednesday night, Konate was leading on the season. They are now level with seven each.
As Liverpool continue to improve, they also embark on an excellent run of fixtures. This run likely culminates in a double gameweek in 33, according to our ‘Planet FPL Projected Fixtures’.
For those looking for a cheaper and much less owned option to Van Dijk, Konate is hiding in plain sight right beside him.
Dango Outtara
Ownership in FPL: 0.6% Price: £5.8m Position: Midfielder
For all the noise around Dango Outtara, his ownership sits at an incredibly low 0.6%. With the Arsenal fixture now out of the way, this number could explode, as gameweek 27 feels like the right time to hop on board the Dango experience.
A great stat about Dango is that he has five assists from just 1.4 xA. This is down to the fact that he has won a league-leading four penalties for Brentford. With Thiago more than willing to tuck them away, Dango has been well rewarded for his efforts.
Given Brentford’s upcoming fixture run, it would not be a shock to see Dango chip in with a few more penalties for his side. Five of these sides sit in the top seven for penalties conceded this season.
If that was not enough, eight of his upcoming opponents sit in the top 10 for the most key passes conceded down Dango’s preferred right wing. All in all, the run to gameweek 35 is full of promise.
Despite Thiago being only five goals behind Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, Dango shows up very impressively in shots and goal share for Brentford. He is taking 20% of Brentford’s shots while on the pitch and has 29% goal-involvement. This jumps to 48% when you include his ‘fantasy assists’ for the penalties he has won.
With two goals and an assist in his last three outings, Dango is hitting form at just the right time. He has four double-digit hauls already this campaign, and with the fixtures coming up, there could be more in his not-too-distant future.
Rayan Vitor
Ownership in FPL: 0.8% Price: £5.5m Position: Midfielder
It did not take long for Bournemouth to find a replacement for Semenyo following his January move to Manchester City. In doing so, they have provided us with a 0.8% owned differential, Rayan, who warrants consideration in the same price bracket as Dango.
Despite being just 19 years of age and brand new to the league, Rayan has hit the ground running with two goals and an assist in his first three appearances. His physicality may have played a part in his settling so quickly. At around 185cm, his build is more suited to that of a striker, yet he lines up off the right, looking to cut in at every opportunity.
His record in Brazil has paved the way for this quick start. Last season, he managed 14 goals in 32 senior league starts. He clearly has confidence, too, scoring two of those goals from the spot.
His goals so far have shown his strengths. Against Villa, he turned Digne inside out on a mazy run, cutting inside and finishing beautifully. At Everton, he used his physical frame to power home a header at the back post.
In just three games, it is hard to draw much from his underlying numbers, but six shots and five chances created are encouraging at the very least.
With his upcoming fixtures, Rayan could be a perfect solution for those looking to ‘dead-end’ their teams into gameweek 31.
Similarly to Dango, the positional matchups for Rayan are great. West Ham, Sunderland and Burnley are all in the top seven for key passes conceded down his flank. The more unknown factor with the young Brazilian makes him an exciting differential for those chasing.
FPL Gameweek 27 Differentials: Round Up
Ibrahima Konate £5.4m is keeping pace with Van Dijk for £0.5m less, playing in a much-improved defence 3.1% Ownership.
Dango Outtara £5.8m is an explosive asset hitting form just as the fixtures turn green for the long-term 0.6% Ownership.
Rayan Vitor £5.5m has taken over from Semenyo without missing a step, looking promising in just three appearances 0.8% Ownership.
